Syria

Syria is a country located on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the southwestern part of Asia. The country's diverse geography comprises a narrow coastal plain, mountains, and deserts, with the Euphrates River flowing through its eastern region. Syria's rich history dates back to ancient times, with the city of Damascus, its capital, being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The country has been a crossroads of cultures, with various empires and civilizations, including the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans, leaving their mark on its architecture, language, and traditions. Today, Syria is a republic with a diverse population of around 24 million people, comprising Arabs, Kurds, and other ethnic groups. Syria is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient cities of Palmyra, Aleppo, and Damascus, which showcase its unique cultural heritage. With 125 species of mammals, 394 species of birds, 127 species of reptiles, 16 species of amphibians and 157 species of freshwater fish recorded in the country, the country has a diverse fauna. Offshore, ten species of whales have been recorded, along with the endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal. There are also four species of turtles, the most common of which is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and some 295 species of marine fish have been recorded in Syria. Among the nearly four hundred bird species recorded in the country, many migrate, especially to the coastal mountain range, the Euphrates Valley, and the seasonal salt lakes which form in arid regions. The Sabkhat al-Jabbul Nature Reserve at one of these salt lakes is frequented by migrating Greater Flamingos.